‘Has the dumb-down ruined MotoGP?’
Inside MotoGP for 34 years
Asthe faint afterglow of the World Cup dies away and the last feigned injury victim rolls in fake agony to his investment advisor, there are still some truths to be gleaned from the embers.
Sadly I’ve never warmed to ‘The Beautiful Game.’ I getthe artistry, footwork, tactics, the passion. The problem is the potential for surprise, such a strong suit in bike racing, is seldom fulfilled.
The Russian extravagance did stimulate a wider interest than usual, including mine. Watchingwith some fans, I wondered: ‘Wouldn’t it be better if they could get some scores on the board?’ Why don’tthey make the goals a bit wider?
I was howled down. But this is effectively what Dorna has done. The continuingMotoGP dumb-down over the past five years has widened the goal mouth.
Long-life four-cylinder engines with a maximum bore was one levelling step. Then, while also becoming more sophisticated, the electronics were paradoxically simplified withcontrol hardware and software; an area of individual specialisation nullified.
In a nutshell, although technology keeps making faster lap times, the limit has also beenmade easier (and safer) to find.
Class elder Dani Pedrosa has an interesting insight. “Before, it was easy to see the potential of a rider, with the two-strokes,” he said. ”Now I find it hard to figure out who is a good rider.”
Has it damagedthe purity of the sport?In one way, yes. While not underestimating the challenge of taming a 250-plus horsepower bronco, the way is open to more people than ever before.
In another way, hell no. Just look at Assenthis year. A record close top 15 was one thing; but more to the point wasthe huge group contestingvictory, and how much it changed every lap. What a thrill it was to watch these massively fast motorcyclestrading blows with the ferocity one expects of Moto3. When Marquez rose above the brawl, leaving the rest tripping over one another, it was very revealing about the level ofhis talent.
This confirms anoldtruth about bike racing: no matter what else changes, the same people tend to win. So whatprice purity? If the same people win, but the fans have more fun, is MotoGP still The Beautiful Sport?
‘Dorna’s changes have widened the goal mouth’